Sidney Manson Roberts

Sidney Manson Roberts, age 78 of Baltimore, peacefully ended his long battle with Parkinson’s disease at Rockmill Rehab, Lancaster, on April 22, 2012.

He was born July 16, 1933, to the late Benjamin and Sallie Roberts in Buchanan, Virginia. Sidney joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 and served in the Korean War. He graduated from Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. After graduation, he was first employed by McDonnell Douglass Corp. in St. Louis. Sidney helped develop the technical manuals on the Mercury and Gemini Space capsules. He then moved to Columbus, to work for North American Aviation which later became Rockwell Aviation. Sidney again did some developmental work on the Apollo Space Capsule and later on the Space Shuttle. Working as a design engineer, Sidney also was instrumental in designing the B-1 Bomber. In 1971, he moved to his current home in Baltimore, where he lived out the remainder of his life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Yoshi Roberts. He is survived by his son, Warren (Melissa) Roberts; grandsons, Seth Roberts and Ian Roberts; brother, Dewey Roberts; and sisters, Mary Tuck, Jean Anderson and Claudine Hill.

There will be no service as Sidney requested a simple cremation. His remains will be interred at Falling Springs Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Glasgow Va.